At Restaurante Cantueso we only cook Paella to order after 24 hours notice as it cannot be prepared in advance without losing lots of delicate flavours. In a previous blog post we detailed the great influence that the Moors have had on Spanish culture, architecture, agriculture and of course cuisine. See “Sugar the lost crop in Periana”

The recently opened museum is a little off the beaten track, tucked away in a back street of Colmenar, but well worth the effort to see and learn about honey. A good starting point is the 15 minute film in several languages which introduces the visitor to the beekeeper’s world, charting its history going back 8000 years, and describing the complex work of the bee. You can then wander around the museum which has lots of interactive displays, exhibits and finally a shop which sells honey, beeswax, soap and other associated products.

Giant bee at work

The museum has been set up by the Beekeeper’s Association of Málaga who proudly display the eight types of honey which have been awarded their “Seal of Quality.”

Einstein it seems noted the importance of bees and is quoted at the museum as having said:

“If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live.”

It is a good thought provoking quote even though it seems he never said it!!!

Opening hours

Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 2pm and 3pm – 6pm. Monday: closed

Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 2pm Guided visits: by appointment

Colmenar is about 8 miles from Cantueso in Periana and 13 miles from Málaga.

Another special day is coming up in Periana with lots of festivities as the village comes out in force to celebrate this special crop for which the village is justifiably famous. The day will see competitions and entertainments all day in the main streets and continues well into the night.

The most important competition is the Concurso Gastronómico when anyone can enter a special dish in which the main ingredient is Peaches. It is always strongly contested and there are three prizes of 100€, 200€ and 300€.

Last year more than 5000 people came to the village and this year is bound to be just as lively. A stroll around the streets filled with the scent of peaches is bound to get your taste buds moving and suitable food and refreshment stalls will be available.

A little Peach History: It is thought that a resident brought the first seedling to Periana after a visit to Argentina 200 years ago and it thrived in the wonderful climate and fertile land. As the crop developed it was taken to neighbouring villages on the backs of donkeys and eventually became popular with buyers from Murcia and surrounding provinces. However it was not until the last half of the 20th century that the crop came to prominence being appreciated for its taste, aromatic scent, soft velvet skin, colour and culinary versatility and by the 70’s a good year would yield as much as 4 million kilos.

Sadly as so often happens in agriculture, the crops were affected by pests and several years of drought which led to a steady decline in production. This continued until about ten years ago when market demand encouraged growers to plant more trees and the municipality started to promote peaches once again. Hence this year is the ninth in which the village and visitors will get to party the night away.

If you have time come up and visit us at Restaurante Cantueso where Carmen our chef is sure to produce some very tempting dishes, and whatever you do, don’t forget to buy a box of these special fruits to take home before you leave.

The lake is well stocked with fish (Carp, Trout and Bass) and sailing is allowed but only with non-motorised craft. Fishing licences are required and need to be obtained in Málaga with lots of bureaucratic hoops to jump through and not really practical for short visits. Some people say you need to take an examination before being granted a licence but the Costa del Sol tourist office says otherwise.

The department for more information is:

Provincial Delegation of Agriculture and Fishing in Málaga.

Avenida Aurora, 47

29002 Málaga

Tlf: +34 951 038 200

Email: dpmalaga.ctcd@juntadeandalucia.es

www.juntadeandalucia.es

The following site gives more details on fishing in the lake but you are advised to check the latest situation with the office above.

For further information regarding the villages that surround Cantueso please see the “Things to do” section of our website. You can also check the current view on the live webcam at Restaurante Cantueso.

The first thing you must do is appoint a non-drinking driver or get a taxi, as it can be a little alcoholic. Tapas tasting is thirsty work.

We recommend that you start about midday and expect to take three or four hours.

The starting point is in the Alameda Principal opposite the train station. There is El Corte Ingles the large store on this side of the road and plenty of nearby parking.
Start to walk up the Alameda Principal (turn left with your back to the store) and cross the bridge and as you pass the flower stalls in the centre of the road look out for no 18 which is the oldest bar in Malaga called, La Antigua Casa de Guardia. Stop for a drink and notice they chalk your bill on the counter in front of you, and make sure you don’t move along when it is time to pay or you may get your neighbours. They specialise in sweet Malaga wines but other drinks are available. They also serve shellfish but save yourself for later, as it gets better.

Continue to walk up Alameda and you will come to a pedestrianised street called Marques de Larios. This is the start of the tour. Up the street after a few yards on the left is a smaller street called Calle Marin Garcia. In front of you is Lo Gueno a very small bar. Get a drink and a tapas or two. Cheese and ham are their specialities.
Next continue up Larios and almost at the top, on the right, is a small street called Calle Moreno Monroy. Towards the end is my favourite bar called Orellano. Here you order a drink and you will get the first small tapas free. You will see many others on display and you should order one, two or even three more with maybe a glass of wine or two. You don’t pay until you leave but no need to panic, as it is not expensive. One tapas to try is Tortillitas de Camerones (shrimp tortillas). Often this is so popular that you have to stand outside.

Now you are getting the hang of it move to our next favourite. See street plan if you have one or ask for Molina Larios. The bar is called La Rabana. It is a newish building with tables inside made from old barrels, or sit outside if warm enough. Their tapas is good and they also have a bar menu with Camembert cheese or ham croquettes and Serrano ham platters. There is also an excellent restaurant up stairs if you are really hungry. The house wine is very good as are the loos!

After this stop and if you are still hungry or thirsty find some more bars of your own, but if coffee and cakes are fancied we have a final stop.

Go back to Marques de Larios and there is a lovely coffee shop called Lepanto about half way up on the right. Muchos calories.